In the space of 20 years, Mzi Damesi’s passion and commitment has taken the Overstrand Whale Boxing Club (OWBC) from a tree in someone’s backyard to a state-of-the-art gym.
Despite its humble beginnings the OWBC has managed to produce a number of national boxing champions in various divisions as well as boxers who have been selected to be part of the South African Boxing team over the years.
Among these champions are Siphamandla Damesi, Mzi’s talented nephew, named SA national champion in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023. At last year’s event at the SA National Boxing Organisation’s Youth and Elite National Boxing Championship in Limpopo he won both his fights in the 67 kg welter weight division, earning him gold.
Other OWBC boxers who won national titles in their respective divisions are Akhule Mgoqi, Tanner Matodes, Siyakholwa Nxanti, Mabini Kase Damesi, Likho Macwarandile, Mutubatsi Makatla, Kolunga Ndleleni, Nkantliseng Qheya and Sihle Mjongile.
These names are enshrined on a large board at the club’s gym, adjacent to the Waldorf School in Sandbaai.
OWBC’s most recent success was when three of its boxers won gold at the national championship for Juniors and Cadets that was held in Mpumalanga from 11 to 15 December. Hlalanathi Jumbile was crowned the best female boxer in her category and won a gold medal. Kolunga Ndleleni won a gold medal for the second consecutive year and Sihle Mathiso won his first gold medal at national level. Lindokuhle Nkothobe won a silver medal.
Long road
When Mzi started the boxing club in Zwelihle in 2003 with only a punch bag hung up in a tree in somebody’s backyard he hadn’t envisaged having his own gym one day.
Despite having only the bare necessities he never gave up on sharing his skills with the youngsters and passionately promoted the sport. From there the club slowly grew, moving into bigger premises near the old clinic in Zwelihle.
“In 2007 we got a container with the help of the Junior Town Council,” Mzi said. “This container was put up next to the old clinic.”
As news of his good work with the youth of Zwelihle started spreading, Mzi started receiving more and more assistance. “The municipality also donated containers, which we then combined to form the gym we have now at Zwelihle sports field,” Mzi told Hermanus Times. “The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport noticed us and assisted with funding for development programmes and transport and hosting boxing events. Ayanda Stali of Overstrand Municipality also helped us.”
Carol Dodds, said Mzi, was instrumental to the club’s success, helping to promote it and getting valuable sponsors on board. “She is a beautiful lady with a beautiful heart. Without her I can truly say we would not have been where we are today.”
With the help of sponsors OWBC really started showing potential, excelling at tournaments and producing champions.
To the rescue
Then came a chance encounter with EMS Foundation when Mzi and his boxers were at the Hermanus Country Market to promote boxing and their club. Since then, with financial assistance from the Foundation, OWBC has gone from strength to strength.
“EMS Foundation’s support has helped create many opportunities and exposure and has given the boys and the people of Zwelihle hope.”
The Foundation further boosted Mzi and his boxers’ confidence when they kitted them out with matching t-shirts and tracksuits.
“This gave us dignity. People started taking notice of us, recognising us as serious boxers.”
In 2019, Mzi and a number of his most promising boxers boarded a plane to travel to the national championships held in Limpopo and stayed in a hotel for the first time. Since then the club also received its own minibus, branded with the OWBC logo.
The biggest highlight, however, has been the opening of the new gym adjacent to Waldorf School in Sandbaai.
“EMS Foundation built the gym at a very high cost to ensure our boxers have a proper place to train so we can take them to compete at international level,” Mzi explained.
OWBC will use this gym to train their senior and more experienced boxers while the beginners and cadets will continue to train at the existing gym at the Zwelihle Sports Field.
EMS Foundation also assisted the club with drawing up a three-year plan to achieve important goals such as providing the boxers with opportunities “to take them out of poverty” and create champions and professional boxers.
“Without the EMS Foundation we are nothing,” he said. “Special thanks to Elizabeth Steyn, its founder, and to the Wells Boxing Club from England, which supported us and travelled to South Africa for the opening of our gym.”
The club hopes to raise enough to send Mzi and at least three boxers to the Wells Boxing Club at the end of 2024, so horizons are expanded and opportunities for professional boxing materialise.
Businesses and individuals who wish to assist can contact Mzi on 082 621 5906 or Carol Dodds on 082 890 5749.